plenty to be cautiously optimistic about (thats the best I can do, sorry). the inability to sign Swisher or Hamilton left a bitter taste over the winter, but the Spring was encouraging.

Smoak has followed up his great September with a strong Spring. Guti seems healthy. Ackely, Seeger, Montero had decent Springs as well. Morales looks a good one year signing and the staff will be very good (I like the addition of Maurer at the back end). Should see Zunino and possibly Franklin by June, as well as the pitching trio by September

Projected as a 75 win team... but the metrics on players are low. If we can play up to potential (as a group, which is hard to imagine happening but why not, we're tied for first right now) then this team can challenge for 85 wins with a strong group of good young players. (we could also win 65 games)

somewhat excited, I like the moves that were made with Morales and Morse, we have tons of potential everywhere now they just gotta live up to it. but its kinda like gonzaga, we all know they aint going far.

I'm excited and cautiously optimistic. The thing that irritated me the most last year wasn't so much that we weren't winning, but that we weren't scoring runs when our pitchers had an amazing outing. Too many of Felix's losses were low run games. It felt like our batters took a day off whenever he pitched. I hope that will change with these new bats in the lineup.

pinksheets wrote:So why post in a thread about the M's just to say you don't want to talk about the M's? I mean, obviously we were all waiting to get an ETA on when you'd be willing to talk baseball, but still.

Because I seen so many posting in various Sonics threads about not supporting the Mariners due to the underhanded attempts to block the deal. Becasue just because they may have some promise I am not willing to jump into bed with them just becasue the may have increased their breast size and am not one to jump on a bandwagon and flip flop on what I stated.

Because I can, I didn't know this was a pump up thread in the first place, April will start with a bang and by May we will see as always the holes in the team if it has any as well.

To Be P/C or Not P/C That is the Question..........Seahawks kick Ass !!!! Check your PM's, Thank you for everything Radish RIP My Friend. Member of the 38 club.

pinksheets wrote:So why post in a thread about the M's just to say you don't want to talk about the M's? I mean, obviously we were all waiting to get an ETA on when you'd be willing to talk baseball, but still.

Because I seen so many posting in various Sonics threads about not supporting the Mariners due to the underhanded attempts to block the deal. Becasue just because they may have some promise I am not willing to jump into bed with them just becasue the may have increased their breast size and am not one to jump on a bandwagon and flip flop on what I stated.

Because I can, I didn't know this was a pump up thread in the first place, April will start with a bang and by May we will see as always the holes in the team if it has any as well.

I could probably get my hopes up better for the year if we weren't stuck in such a solid division. I can see breaking .500 if things go well, but it's really hard to get my hopes up for any shot at the playoffs.

They've been so good this preseason it's hard not to get excited. But then I remember the past few seasons. I'm really hoping this is their 2010 Seahawks season, where they turn the corner, and nothing but good things yet to come.

"The ultimate number is W's, and that’s what matters in Santa Clara. As such, Jed York does not own the 49ers; Russell Wilson does." - Paul Gutierrez

Seahawk Sailor wrote:They've been so good this preseason it's hard not to get excited. But then I remember the past few seasons. I'm really hoping this is their 2010 Seahawks season, where they turn the corner, and nothing but good things yet to come.

That's a good way of putting it. I'm not expecting big results, but I'm really hoping this is a year that we come away feeling like the next season we are going to legitimately make some noise. Not wishful thinking, legitimate reason to feel like we're about to break out. We have so many really good young players and prospects that I can't help but feel excited for this year and that in the following seasons we are set up to potentially be really good and for a long time.

In fact, I think we have to be in that place after this season, or else it's time to rethink the direction that Jack Z is taking the team.

Last edited by pinksheets on Sun Mar 31, 2013 9:00 pm, edited 1 time in total.

Pumped and Jacked ! They have had a nice spring we shall see if that translates into the regular season with the fences moved in I expect to see less 2-1 games and I think our offense should be improved, will that be the recipe for a winning season? The Pitching staff is solid, hopefully the offense can produce a bit more. I do believe this team is headed in the right direction...finally!

pinksheets wrote:So why post in a thread about the M's just to say you don't want to talk about the M's? I mean, obviously we were all waiting to get an ETA on when you'd be willing to talk baseball, but still.

Because I seen so many posting in various Sonics threads about not supporting the Mariners due to the underhanded attempts to block the deal. Becasue just because they may have some promise I am not willing to jump into bed with them just becasue the may have increased their breast size and am not one to jump on a bandwagon and flip flop on what I stated.

Because I can, I didn't know this was a pump up thread in the first place, April will start with a bang and by May we will see as always the holes in the team if it has any as well.

feel better sweetie?

Yes I do, actually the last time I heard that was after a good Blow Job. I have a towel around here somewhere if ya want one.

To Be P/C or Not P/C That is the Question..........Seahawks kick Ass !!!! Check your PM's, Thank you for everything Radish RIP My Friend. Member of the 38 club.

chris98251 wrote:So why post in a thread about the M's just to say you don't want to talk about the M's? I mean, obviously we were all waiting to get an ETA on when you'd be willing to talk baseball, but still.

feel better sweetie?

Yes I do, actually the last time I heard that was after a good Blow Job. I have a towel around here somewhere if ya want one.

If it was good then you swallowed. use the towel to wipe away your tears and jog on back to the Sonics forum and complain about the M's management there... or complain about their hitting here. you're swallowing is for the shack.

I have to agree though, no need for the Mariner's hate here. Especially when hating on the Mariner's for the Sonics thing seems strange when it was what, just a few guys that were really in the way and not the entire organization like many people on these boards think? I think people forget or just straight up don't even know that not everyone was on board with getting in the way of the Sonics...

That being said, I am excited for the season. I always am. I am more optimistic this season than I have been in a very, very long time but I don't expect to make any serious noise. Sadly, I would be happy with being in this middle this season as long as we are progressing!

But who knows. Our team kind of reminds me of the Giants and we have seen what they have done lately! Not sure if any of you guys would agree... If the Mariners can play as a team and truly do have the great chemistry that I have read about then maybe they can surprise everyone this season.

A little off subject, but I would like the M's organization to replicate the Atlanta Braves. I have a lot of respect for that organization and I think that they represent a great foundation for any organization that has been trash and has nowhere to go but up.

So Si, you think Zunino will be called up this year? That would be great, I don't know what to expect as far as call-ups, but I would be excited to see that. He's much more of a catcher than Montero, and is a pretty solid bat from what I've heard. What do you think happens when he gets called up? Split starts with Montero? Full time catcher w/ Montero @ DH? But then that leaves out Morales, unless he plays first. And then that leaves out Smoak, who may be the deciding factor in this whole thing.

But I am definitely excited to see Zunino and Franklin, as well as the "Big 3." I think Hultzen will likely be the first of the 3 called up. I have my doubts that Walker will be called up this year, but would be excited if it happens.

Atradees wrote: I also am not sold on Beaven or the current #2. I like the potential of the new bats. We will see I guess.

That's a good thing then, since he's not the #2, Iwakuma is. Beavan is currently the #5.

As for the bats tonight, I never fail to marvel at the fact that everyone discounts the A's starter. King Felix was our opening night starter for a reason; he's our best pitcher. Anderson is the A's current best starter, and he was no slouch at all. Tonight's batting results were much more about Anderson being a pretty damned good pitcher than it was about our bats being no good.

apparently you're not allowed to have negative comments about the mariners in this particular thread, so i say this.. i hope they can continue with the wins... recent history has shown they start out hot and fade fast.. let's hope that's a trend that ended last season. i'll give their bats a pass in this game, Anderson is one hell of a pitcher and always does well against us...

Last edited by hawker84 on Tue Apr 02, 2013 7:15 am, edited 2 times in total.

nategreat wrote:So Si, you think Zunino will be called up this year? That would be great, I don't know what to expect as far as call-ups, but I would be excited to see that. He's much more of a catcher than Montero, and is a pretty solid bat from what I've heard. What do you think happens when he gets called up? Split starts with Montero? Full time catcher w/ Montero @ DH? But then that leaves out Morales, unless he plays first. And then that leaves out Smoak, who may be the deciding factor in this whole thing.

But I am definitely excited to see Zunino and Franklin, as well as the "Big 3." I think Hultzen will likely be the first of the 3 called up. I have my doubts that Walker will be called up this year, but would be excited if it happens.

I think he is up by July. Morales is here on a one year deal, and i imagine the club will look to trade him before the deadline (regardless of what Smoak does), then bring up Zunino and let him platoon (if not take the catcher position outright) with Montero between DH and behind the plate.

This team's strength is in its youth, so the Big three (or atleast two) should be joining the club by September, along with Franklin.

Nice win yesterday. I know that there was some talk about the M's not hitting, but that was the A's ace as well. Obviously you want to see more in offense, but its hard to assume it against a pitcher like that. give it a month.

Still, 1-0.. and our 178 million dollar pitcher looked the part against the defending AL West Champs.

Atradees wrote: I also am not sold on Beaven or the current #2. I like the potential of the new bats. We will see I guess.

That's a good thing then, since he's not the #2, Iwakuma is. Beavan is currently the #5.

As for the bats tonight, I never fail to marvel at the fact that everyone discounts the A's starter. King Felix was our opening night starter for a reason; he's our best pitcher. Anderson is the A's current best starter, and he was no slouch at all. Tonight's batting results were much more about Anderson being a pretty damned good pitcher than it was about our bats being no good.

Beaven, Furbush and the #2 Iwakuma. Pretty much suck. (OR- I didn't risk spelling his name)

hawker84 wrote:apparently you're not allowed to have negative comments about the mariners in this particular forum, so i say this.. i hope they can continue with the wins... recent history has shown they start out hot and fade fast.. let's hope that's a trend that ended last season. i'll give their bats a pass in this game, Anderson is one hell of a picher and always does well against us...

why cant you post something negative? I mean Beaven is still our 5th starter and Ibanez and Bay are on the bench instead of Hamilton and Swisher on the field. we started the game with 4 straight strikeouts.

everything you said is spot on.... this team needs alot to go right to finish .500. if it doesnt i imagine we are all going to want to vent.

Atradees wrote: I also am not sold on Beaven or the current #2. I like the potential of the new bats. We will see I guess.

As for the bats tonight, I never fail to marvel at the fact that everyone discounts the A's starter. King Felix was our opening night starter for a reason; he's our best pitcher. Anderson is the A's current best starter, and he was no slouch at all. Tonight's batting results were much more about Anderson being a pretty damned good pitcher than it was about our bats being no good.

Beaven, Furbush and the #2 Iwakuma. Pretty much suck. (OR- I didn't risk spelling his name)

It will go Felix, Iwakuma, Saunders, Maurer, Beaven... Iwakuma is a strange case. Performed well as a starter, posting a sub 4 ERA after being a disaster as a reliever (not the usual progression). As with much of the team, alot has to go well with the starters for the team to compete. But the pen is solid, and unique. If 2-5 can take the game into the 7th for most of their starts the team will be competitive.

Beaven is going to give way to which ever one of the big three come up first. He did make some adjustments to his approach and had a decent Spring keeping the ball down. But the fences are in at Safeco now, if he tried to use the expansive outfield to get outs he's going to struggle

Atradees wrote: I also am not sold on Beaven or the current #2. I like the potential of the new bats. We will see I guess.

That's a good thing then, since he's not the #2, Iwakuma is. Beavan is currently the #5.

As for the bats tonight, I never fail to marvel at the fact that everyone discounts the A's starter. King Felix was our opening night starter for a reason; he's our best pitcher. Anderson is the A's current best starter, and he was no slouch at all. Tonight's batting results were much more about Anderson being a pretty damned good pitcher than it was about our bats being no good.

Beaven, Furbush and the #2 Iwakuma. Pretty much suck. (OR- I didn't risk spelling his name)

Ya, I'm not saying you are wrong with the last comment, just clarifying the first one. Tho Furbush is a reliever. At least he was last night. While I don't know how good or bad they'll be, I actually like Iwakuma and Beavan, tho the latter has an uncanny ability to Vargus up a good start too much (give up a big inning).

Atradees wrote: I also am not sold on Beaven or the current #2. I like the potential of the new bats. We will see I guess.

That's a good thing then, since he's not the #2, Iwakuma is. Beavan is currently the #5.

As for the bats tonight, I never fail to marvel at the fact that everyone discounts the A's starter. King Felix was our opening night starter for a reason; he's our best pitcher. Anderson is the A's current best starter, and he was no slouch at all. Tonight's batting results were much more about Anderson being a pretty damned good pitcher than it was about our bats being no good.

hawker84 wrote:apparently you're not allowed to have negative comments about the mariners in this particular thread, so i say this.. i hope they can continue with the wins... recent history has shown they start out hot and fade fast.. let's hope that's a trend that ended last season. i'll give their bats a pass in this game, Anderson is one hell of a pitcher and always does well against us...

That's my biggest fear, and the reason why it's hard for me to jump on the M's bandwagon with both feet. Show me you've turned things around and start winning for reals, and I'll mostly forgive you for all the posturing and stampy feet over the Sonics arena.

"The ultimate number is W's, and that’s what matters in Santa Clara. As such, Jed York does not own the 49ers; Russell Wilson does." - Paul Gutierrez